An Era of Social Change Latinos and Native

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An Era of Social Change Latinos and Native Americans Seek Equality Chapter 23, Section

An Era of Social Change Latinos and Native Americans Seek Equality Chapter 23, Section 1

The Latino Presence Grows • During the 1960 s, the Latino population in the

The Latino Presence Grows • During the 1960 s, the Latino population in the United States grew from 3 million to more than 9 million • Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Central America and South America • Mexican Americans largest group, Puerto Ricans and Cubans – Lived in segregated Spanish speaking neighborhoods (braceros) – Unemployment rate 50% higher than whites – Ethnic prejudice and discrimination

Latinos Fight for Change • As their presence in the United States grew, so

Latinos Fight for Change • As their presence in the United States grew, so did Latino demand for greater representation and better treatment • Equal opportunity AND respect for their culture and heritage • Question: Why was it so important for Latinos to gain respect for their heritage and culture? Why not just stop at equal opportunity?

The Farm Workers Movement • California’s fruit and vegetable farms for little pay and

The Farm Workers Movement • California’s fruit and vegetable farms for little pay and few benefits • Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta established the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (UFWOC) • Insisted on union recognition and collective bargaining rights • Nonviolence • Farm workers went across the country to grocery stores to convince shoppers to boycott California grapes • Chavez went on three week fast • In 1970, they earned the right to unionize and negotiated higher wages and benefits

Cesar Chavez

Cesar Chavez

Cultural Pride • “Brown Power” • Activities of the California farm workers helped inspire

Cultural Pride • “Brown Power” • Activities of the California farm workers helped inspire Latino movements across the country • New York demanded Spanish speaking classes taught in their own language and programs about their culture. – Question: Should American public schools be required to offer classes to accommodate English language learners?

Cultural Pride • Bilingual Education Act: Congress provided funds for schools to develop bilingual

Cultural Pride • Bilingual Education Act: Congress provided funds for schools to develop bilingual and cultural heritage programs for non-English speaking children • Young Mexican-Americans began calling themselves Chicanos: a shortened version of “Mexicanos” • Brown Berets community action group organized walkouts of public schools demanding smaller class sizes and hiring of Latinos to reduce Latino dropout rate • Establishment of Chicano studies at universities

Political Power • Mexican American Political Association (MAPA) helped elect Latinos to Congress –

Political Power • Mexican American Political Association (MAPA) helped elect Latinos to Congress – 1960 s: 8 Hispanic Americans served in the House and one Hispanic senator was elected • League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) – Fight segregation, desegregated schools in Southwest, helped win Mexican Americans the right to sit on juries, education and job programs funded in Great Society

Political Power • La Raza Unida (Mexican Americans United) – Ran Latinos in five

Political Power • La Raza Unida (Mexican Americans United) – Ran Latinos in five states, won races for mayor and positions on school boards and city councils • Alianza Federal de Mercedes (Federal Alliance of Land Grants) – Help reclaim US land taken from the Mexican landholders in the 19 th century – Raided a county courthouse and arrested

Where are They Now? • The Immigration Debate Today: Facts – By 1990, there

Where are They Now? • The Immigration Debate Today: Facts – By 1990, there were more immigrants from Mexico than all of Europe combined. – Over 20 million Mexicans immigrants live in U. S. today. – In next two generations, Latinos will make up 25% of U. S. population. – 5. 3 million Mexicans living in the U. S. are undocumented--are here illegally.

Where are They Now? • American Response: – “The Minutemen Project”—plan on building two

Where are They Now? • American Response: – “The Minutemen Project”—plan on building two parallel 15 ft. steel mesh fences, 150 ft. long, along the Arizona border to try and stop illegal immigrants from crossing in the U. S. – Minutemen threaten to use violence against illegal immigrants crossing the border, unless the U. S. government sends in troops in sufficient numbers to stop the crossings.

Where are They Now? • The Minutemen movement has planned recent demonstrations and marches

Where are They Now? • The Minutemen movement has planned recent demonstrations and marches to Washington D. C. • At the same time, demonstrators in support of the rights of illegal immigrants have gathered in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington D. C. in mass protest to the stricter laws being passed by Congress regarding the crossing of illegal immigrants. – Questions: Should illegal immigrants be given ANY kind of rights in the United States? Why/why not?

Where are They Now? • Recent Legislation: As of 2003, the Department of Homeland

Where are They Now? • Recent Legislation: As of 2003, the Department of Homeland Security has taken over the border control responsibilities of the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) • Stricter regulations and faster deportation procedures have been passed by Congress, which mean that undocumented aliens don’t have the recourse of appeal as they did before.

Native Americans Struggle for Equality • Native Americans struggled with autonomy • Many Native

Native Americans Struggle for Equality • Native Americans struggled with autonomy • Many Native Americans have clung to their heritage, refusing assimilation • Poorest Americans and highest unemployment rate; tuberculosis and alcoholism • Termination policy under Eisenhower relocated Native Americans; plan failed miserably • In 1962, 61 NAs drafted the Declaration of Indian Purpose – Determination of NAs to choose their own way of life – Called for an end to the termination policy and creation of economic opportunities on the reservation – 1968 Johnson established National Council on Indian Opportunity to ensure that programs reflect the desires of the Indian people

Voices of Protest • American Indian Movement (AIM): An often militant Native American rights

Voices of Protest • American Indian Movement (AIM): An often militant Native American rights organization – Began in 1968 largely as a self-defense group against police brutality – Branched out to include protecting rights of Native Americans

Confronting the Government • “Trail of Broken Treaties” – – – March in Washington

Confronting the Government • “Trail of Broken Treaties” – – – March in Washington DC Protest US government’s treaty violations Sought restoration of 110 million acres of land Sought abolition of Bureau of Indian Affairs Occupied BIA building, destroyed records and caused $2 million in property damage • AIM lead march to Wounded Knee – Soux seized town and took hostages – FBI shootout that left two NAs dead • Question: Were the Native Americans justified in using hostility and violence after years of oppression and discrimination?

Native American Victories • 1972 Indian Education Act • 1975 Indian Self-Determination and Education

Native American Victories • 1972 Indian Education Act • 1975 Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act • Regained land in New Mexico and Alaska; many settlements won that provided legal recognition of tribal lands and financial compensation

Stories from Wounded Knee, 1973

Stories from Wounded Knee, 1973

Native Americans Today… • NCAA bans tribal names/images – "Indian" logos and nicknames create,

Native Americans Today… • NCAA bans tribal names/images – "Indian" logos and nicknames create, support and maintain stereotypes of a race of people. When such cultural abuse is supported by one or many of society's institutions, it constitutes institutional racism. – EMU Hurons – now Eagles – Chiefs? – Savages? – Redskins? – Some schools have good relationships with local tribes (CMU Chippewas, FSU Seminoles, Mississippi College Choctaws) and are allowed to keep their names.

Native Americans Today… • Gaming is a big business – approx $40 billion per

Native Americans Today… • Gaming is a big business – approx $40 billion per year. • The common commitment and purpose of NIGA (National Indian Gaming Association) is to advance the lives of Indian peoples economically, socially and politically. • There are some 557 federally recognized reservations. Only about 33% do have some form of commercial gaming now, and 29% more hope to. • But many -- on reservations far from population centers and with nothing in particular to attract tourists -- are not successful. For those who are, though, it is just about the only business success story that Indian reservations have ever had.

Native Americans Today… • In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint

Native Americans Today… • In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 "National American Indian Heritage Month. " • Similar proclamations have been issued each year since 1994.

Native Americans Today… • Former President George W. Bush proposed to eliminate the Urban

Native Americans Today… • Former President George W. Bush proposed to eliminate the Urban Indian Health Program within the Indian Health Service. • This program provides spiritual, medical, psychological, dental, and nursing for urban Indians. • 2/3 of the 4. 1 million Native Americans live in urban areas.

Native Americans Today… • Columbus Day – Should this day celebrate Columbus’ “discovery” of

Native Americans Today… • Columbus Day – Should this day celebrate Columbus’ “discovery” of the Americas in 1492? – Should this day celebrate multiculturalism and be known as Indigenous People Day?